|
What do you think?
Why do you think Hattie chooses not to go on vacation with her friend Betsy? Do you think anything is wrong with her because she hates changing her routine or leaving her home?
What does Hattie immediately like about Adam? What does she not like?
What's your first impression of Adam? Did your opinion change over the course of the book? In what ways? Did you ever find yourself liking him? Hating him? Scared of him? What made you feel that way?
What did Hattie worry about, once she met Adam?
Do you think the fact Hattie lives in a boarding house symbolizes anything? What?
In what ways is Hattie's mom like her grandmother? In what ways are they different?
Hattie asks, "If a person is kept secret, is he real?" How would you answer that question?
Why is Hattie able to make friends with Leila at the Carnival so easily? What does Leila's friendship mean to Hattie?
Why is the Carnival so important to the story?
What does the phrase "a corner of the universe" mean to Hattie? To Adam? To you?
Was Hattie a good friend? Support your thoughts with examples.
Would this story be different if it was set in a city rather than a small town? How do you think it would be different?
How would you feel if you stumbled upon a family secret? Do you think anything be kept secret within a family? Why? Why not?
This story was set in the 1960s. Would the story be different if it was set in 2004? In what ways would it be different?
Fun & Adventure Beyond the Book
You may know Ann M. Martin as the author of the popular Baby Sitters Club book series, but she's written several award-winning books. Martin answers questions and occasionally posts letters on her publisher's website —perhaps she'll give us a sneak peak of her latest book soon! You can also learn more about her here.
Author Ann M. Martin discovered as a young girl that she had another uncle—an uncle like Adam. Unlike Hattie, she never got to meet him, as he died before she was born. But the uncle served as an inspiration for the book. If you'd like to better understand mental illness, consider this online brochure. The book dealt with the stigma of mental illness. This site talks about the myths of mental illness and what you can do to help others better understand mental illness.
One of Hattie's favorite summer past-times was enjoy lemonade on the porch. Here are some recipes for you to try.
Hattie's grandmother had specific ideas on how one should live one's life. Her mother had her own ideas. The fact is, everyone has their own personal ideas on how best to live a "good" life. Tons of books have been written on how to lead the life you want...here's one person's list of suggestions. Rather than following these rules, why don't you write your own based on what you believe?
Like I said, everyone has their own guidelines to living life—including Camel's Hump Radio host Bill Harley. Check out Bill's rules of the universe.
If You Like This Book, Check Out...
Grace Greene, from the Vermont Department of Libraries, says if you liked A Corner of the Universe, you'll probably enjoy these books as well:
Other titles by Ann Martin:
Belle Teal. Scholastic, 2001.
A poor white girl experiences integration and family problems in the South in the early 60s.
The Doll People. Hyperion, 2000.
A family of porcelain dolls that has lived in the same house for one hundred years is taken aback when a new family of plastic dolls arrives and doesn't follow The Doll Code of Honor.
Here Today. Scholastic, 2004.
Ellie is living on the 'wrong side of town' with a mother who longs for a famous life and will do anything to achieve it - even if it means involving, then abandoning, her family.
The Meanest Doll in the World. Hyperion, 2003.
Annabelle and Tiffany, dolls who are best friends living in the Palmer house, have an adventure when they hide in Kate Palmer's backpack, are carried to school, mistakenly go to another house, and try to stop Princess Mimi, a doll who threatens all dollkind.
Companion titles:
Fox, Paula. Radiance Descending. DK, 1997.
When he sees all the attention which his parents and people in the neighborhood give to Jacob, eleven-year-old Paul struggles with his feelings toward this younger brother who has Down syndrome.
Holt, Kimberly Willis. My Louisiana Sky. Holt, 1998.
Growing up in Saitter, Louisiana, in the 1950s, twelve-year-old Tiger Ann struggles with her feelings about her stern, but loving grandmother, her mentally slow parents, and her good friend and neighbor, Jesse.
O'Connor, Barbara. Me and Rupert Goody. FSG, 1999.
Eleven-year-old Jennalee is jealous when a slow-thinking black man arrives in her Smoky Mountains community and claims to be the son of Uncle Beau, the owner of the general store and Jennalee's only friend.
Rylant, Cynthia. Missing May. Orchard, 1992.
After the death of the beloved aunt who has raised her, twelve-year-old Summer and her uncle Ob leave their West Virginia trailer in search of the strength to go on living.
Wood, June Rae. The Man Who Loved Clowns. Putnam, 1992.
Thirteen-year-old Delrita, whose unhappy life has caused her to hide from the world, loves her uncle Punky but sometimes feels ashamed of his behavior because he has Down syndrome.
|
Texas native Judith Ivey studied acting at Illinois State University. Her first major professional part of note was in a Chicago production of The Sea in 1974. She has performed both on- and off-Broadway, earing two Tony Awards. Ivey is known for her Southern charm and distinctive voice. She's appeared in a number of films, working alongside Steve Martin, Paul Newman, Gene Wilder and Susan Sarandon, as well as in several television sitcoms. Most recently she had a prominent role in the 2003 independent film What Alice Found, which won a Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.